Like our weekly newsletter? Here’s how you can support us:
Sponsor your post {opportunity, event, news, feature request, etc } in this newsletter 👀 Click here
Give our team a little tip! ☕️ Click here
Tag us on LinkedIn, Instagram, (X)Twitter, or Facebook, or forward any information worth featuring to us at editor@apva.africa 💌
Visit our website for other industry and global updates. Click here
Looking to stay ahead and make the most of every opportunity this year? Our annual calendar is your go-to guide for everything happening in our ecosystem, from hands-on workshops and creative labs to insightful webinars, conferences, and special community events.
Align your schedule and stay connected with everything happening at APVA.
For APVA Partners and Members: You can add your events to our calendar for free! This is a fantastic way to boost your event’s visibility and reach a wider audience.
If you’re one of our partners or members, just click the link below to submit your event for review and approval.
Not a partner or member yet? No problem! You can still get your event featured on our channels and tap into our network. Just ask us for a rate guide to get started.
Meet our cover for this edition, Seun Shobo, The Brandmaster.
In this edition, we refer to him as The Brandmaster because that is exactly what he is. A man who has spent over two decades building structure into the African voiceover industry, training over a thousand voice talents, and carrying Africa’s creative excellence onto global stages.
Working on this edition reminded us why his voice stands out. He speaks with conviction, builds with intention, and has never stopped raising the bar for what African creatives can become. This publication captures the man behind the title, his philosophy, his journey, and the legacy he is still building.
Grab your copy now by clicking the link below!
The African Podcast and Voice Academy (APVA) is more than a learning hub; it’s a movement to strengthen Africa’s audio industry, institutionalise knowledge, and create thriving opportunities for creatives across the continent.
We are calling on brands, institutions, and organisations to join us in building Africa’s biggest platform for podcasters, voice artists, and spoken word creatives.
As a partner, you can:
🎓 Co-create courses & workshops alongside leading African instructors.
🏢 Host learning experiences in your studios, hubs, or creative spaces.
🌍 Provide visibility & networks for African audio creatives globally.
💼 Support talent incubation & acceleration through grants, funding, or mentorship.
📣 Amplify your impact by investing in Africa’s creative economy.
Let’s build the future of African audio together; send an email to partnerships@apva.africa or visit the link below to get started.
Spotify has opened a new office in Johannesburg, marking a significant step in the company’s continued investment in Africa’s music, podcast, and audiobook sectors. The move is expected to strengthen Spotify’s engagement with creators, industry stakeholders, and audiences across the continent while supporting the growth of African audio content.
The announcement also highlights the increasing importance of podcasts and audiobooks within Africa’s audio ecosystem, as streaming platforms continue to create new opportunities for creators to reach wider audiences and grow sustainable careers.
For more information, read the full article at the link below.
The Why Am I Still Single? podcast has reached a new milestone, recording 1,000 downloads in a single day for the first time. Sharing the achievement, the show’s founder described it as a significant moment in the podcast’s growth and audience journey.
The milestone reflects the growing reach of the podcast and the strong connection it has built with listeners. As more African creators continue to build engaged communities around their content, achievements like this highlight the increasing impact of podcasting across the continent.
Congratulations, Edgar! Listen to the podcast at the link below.
Max 102.3FM welcomes Femi Bakes to the Max Breakfast team, joining Honey Ojukwu for a new era of energetic morning conversations and entertainment.
The weekday breakfast show promises engaging discussions, fresh vibes, and lively content for listeners across Lagos. Tune in every Monday–Friday, 5:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
Click on the link below for more details.
Spoken word continues to gain ground as a viable part of Nigeria’s creative economy, with artists finding new opportunities through streaming platforms, live performances, brand partnerships, and digital content.
A recent feature on Nigerian spoken word artist Havfy highlights how poets are increasingly building sustainable careers while contributing to a wider creative ecosystem that includes videographers, producers, event organisers, makeup artists, and other creative professionals. With over 200,000 streams on Spotify and a strong online following, Havfy’s success reflects the growing audience for spoken word content both in Nigeria and beyond.
The story also draws attention to the broader spoken word community, where organisations, poetry clubs, festivals, and competitions are helping emerging artists gain visibility and access new opportunities.
For more information, read the full story at the link below.
Poetic Wednesdays Initiative has marked its 10th anniversary with the unveiling of “Reclaiming Languages” as the theme for KAPFEST 3.0, its flagship poetry festival scheduled for October 2026. The announcement was made during a special Eid Pop-Up event in Kano that brought together poets, artists, and literature enthusiasts for performances and discussions on language, identity, and cultural preservation.
The theme reflects growing conversations around the role of indigenous languages in preserving history, heritage, and collective memory. Through this year’s festival, Poetic Wednesdays aims to encourage dialogue on language, translation, oral traditions, and the future of African languages in a rapidly changing world.
For more information about KAPFEST 3.0 and the Poetic Wednesdays Initiative, visit the link below.
A recent article on Africa Rising 2026 highlights a growing shift within Africa’s creative industries, where the focus is moving beyond global recognition to questions of ownership, sustainability, and economic participation.
As African music, storytelling, and cultural exports continue to gain international influence, creators are increasingly seeking greater control over their intellectual property, royalties, and long-term careers.
The piece also points to the growing importance of partnerships, industry education, and support structures that can help creatives build lasting businesses around their work.
For more information, read the full article at the link below.
Episode: Solana’s “Okunkun” Leads This Week’s Hottest New Music Releases
On this episode of Cha Cha Music Review Series, Hafeestonova breaks down the hottest music releases of the week, featuring fresh sounds from Nigeria and Ghana.
With his honest reviews and sharp music analysis, Hafeestonova highlights standout tracks from Solana, Tamilore O.T.A, Koya, Khaid, Moliy, M.anifest, L.A.X, Yemi Alade, Balloranking, and Falz exploring the songs making waves across Afropop, dancehall, hip-hop, and more.
Click on the link below to listen to the full episode.
Here are more articles you can check out for further developments and insights:
Why Nigeria’s Business and Tech Podcasts Are Building The Country’s Knowledge Economy. Click here
SpotsNow Launches AI Operating System for Podcast Advertising. Click here
Afripods Rolls Out Five-Country Community Meet-Up Series Across Africa. Click here
The Secrets of Preventing Mouth Clicks in Voiceover Recordings. Click here
In a Nation of Ad-Avoiders, One Medium Breaks Through. Click here
Don't keep the good stuff to yourself—share this newsletter edition with friends and spread the inspiration!
With Love,
APVA Editor.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.